Improvement in leather boxes



R. W. OWEN. Leather Boxes.

No. 218,132. 7 Patented Aug. 5,1879.

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Ifihoessefl: jwvenior UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

RICHARD W. OWEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT lN LEATHER BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 218,132, dated August5, 1879 application filed April 28, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD W. OWEN, of Chicago, Cook county, 'State ofIllinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in I Leather Boxesand their Manufacture, of which the following is a full description,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 isan elevation, showing a former part being cut away. Fig. 2 is anelevation of afemale former, to be used with that shown in Fig. 1. Fig.'3 is a bottom view of the former shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 represents astrip of leather. Fig. 5 shows the two formers represented in Figs. 1and 2 brought together with the body of the cover of a box. Figs. 6 and7 represent two other formers used in manufacturing boxes. -Fig. 8represents the two formers shown in Figs. 6 and 7 brought together andthe partly-completed body of a box with a head or bottom. Fig. 9represents either the top of a cover or the bottom of the box; Fig. 10,a completed box, the cover bein g separated from the body.

The object of my invention is to make an improved leather box, primarilydesigned to be used as a cuff and collar box; and the invention relates,first, to suitable formers with which to shape the main parts of thebox; second, to the process of manufacturing the box; third, to thecompleted box.

The main portion of the cover and also of the body of the box are eachmade from a single straight piece of leather and in the followingmanner: The two ends of a straight strip of leather, 0, of suitablelength and width, are to be joined together by stitching or otherwise.The leather having been moistened is then placed over the former A,which has a shoulder, a, and is to be bent and partially crimped overthe edge at first by hand; then the die or former B is to be placed overthe leather on A, and the two parts A B are to be subjected toconsiderable pressure in any suitable press which will give to thispiece of leather the form shown in Fig. 5. It is then to be removed fromA, and within it is to be placed a circular piece, d, which, whensecured in place, completes the top of a cover or the bottom of the box,as the case may be. This piece 0, with the part 0! inside thereof, isthen placed upon the former C, which has a raised circular rib, b, onits top, and over it the die or former D is to be placed, as shown inFig. 8. D has a groove, 6, on its inside, corresponding with the rib bon C. By submitting the several parts shown in Fig. 8 to pressure, a ribor projection will be formed on the outside of the turned-over portion fof the piece 0, which serves the purpose of a guide when stitching inthe end piece, (I, and also forms a finish. The piece at can be bestsecured to f by stitching with amachine. After this has been done, ifany portion off projects beyond the bead it can be cut away.

Within the body of the box I secure an interior part, g, which projectsabove the body, over which the cover passes, as is usual. This interiormaybe made of pasteboard covered with thin leather. With the exceptionof this interior g the body and cover are made in the same manner. I useleather of considerable thickness, so that the boxes may be strong andnot easily crushed.

i is a ring which encircles A, and can be adjusted up and down. It issecured in place by means of screws, or in other suitable man ner. Theposition of the ring determines the depth of the body of the box and ofthe cover, and it secures uniformity in this respect.

I make the formers A (J- hollow, and provide a handle, 70, across thelower end, which facilitates handling. If necessary, the handle can beplaced in a vise while removing the leather.

I am aware that leather boxes are in use the covers of which are eachmade from a single straight piece having the ends secured together, anda head or top stitched directly to the upper edge, which makes abungling seam. The bodies of such boxes are made in a similar manner. Ido not claim such construction.

The die or former B has a depression, '0, on the inside of the headthereof, which fits over 1 on the top of A.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is asfollows:

1. The herein-described process of making leather boxes, by taking astraight piece of leather, securing the two ends together, then 0?,stitched to f, and a cover, u, made in the turningover one edge, so asto forma partof the same manner, all substantially as and for the top orbottom, as the case may be, and stitching purposes specified.

in an end piece all substantially as specified.

2. In a leather box, a body, a, made from a RICHARD OWEN straight pieceof leather, having the ends se- Witnesses: cured together, and one edgeturned over, as GUss. ARENDT,

shown at f, and provided with an end piece, E. A. WEST.

